De La Salle student stabbed by ex-bf in Lipa

By Arnell Ozaeta, ABS-CBN News Southern Tagalog

BATANGAS – A 17-year old female sophomore student was rushed to the hospital when she was stabbed thrice by a former boyfriend while inside the De La Salle-Lipa campus in Lipa City Monday afternoon.

Senior Superintendent Alberto Supapo, Batangas police director, said “Joan” (not her real name) was rushed to Mary Mediatrix Hospital for treatment after being stabbed in the chest and stomach. The victim was in stable condition as of posting.

John Ryan Mariño, 18, a computer engineering student and resident of Malvar, Batangas, was arrested and detained by authorities.

Police said Joan was attending her class at the 4th floor of Mabini Hall when two of her female friends signaled her to step out of the classroom.

When Joan stepped out to meet the two at the corridor, Mariño suddenly appeared from behind and engaged the victim in a heated argument. Witnesses said Mariño then pulled out a "balisong" or butterly knife from his pocket and stabbed the victim.

Police said the suspect tried to escape after the stabbing but was caught by school security personnel.

In an interview with ABS-CBN, Mariño said he stabbed his former girlfriend in a fit of anger. “Nagawa ko yon kasi sa sobrang galit dahil inilaglag nya ako,” Mariño said while asking for forgiveness. He declined to elaborate.

Meanwhile, parents of the said school expressed concern about the security of their children.

Tito Aguirre, a government employee and father of two elementary students in De La Salle-Lipa, said he was dismayed about the present school security set-up. “How did the student bring in the balisong? What are the school officials and security guards doing? Definitely there was a security lapse here,” Aguirre complained.

Aguirre added that De La Salle officials even tried to hide the incident while the suspect was still inside the school premises. "They are putting our children and other students at risk,” he lamented.

Media practitioners who were covering the incident learned that the school officials allegedly prevented their students to grant interviews to any reporters.

In an emailed statement from Juan Lozano, vice-chancellor of De La Salle-Lipa said the school is undertaking its own investigation of the incident and in the meantime has extended assistance for the victim’s hospitalization expenses. He said the school has also convened its Discipline Board to take immediate administrative action against the assailant.

“Initial word points primarily to personal non-school related issues as the reason for the incident. A more definite picture shall be presented as soon as all the relevant facts are in,” Lozano added.

Lozano said the school is doing its best to continue providing its growing clientele a Lasallian education in a safe and peaceful environment conducive to studying and similar intellectual pursuits.